It seems like lately more and more musicians from Greater Cincinnati are hitting the road for extensive tour runs. Here are a few who are either getting ready for big trips or are already in the midst of their travels:
• Hard-rockin’ Cincinnati crew Ohio Knife is gearing up for its debut full-length release and, as it says on the group’s website, the band is “going big” with the new album. The trio (singer/guitarist Jason Snell, drummer Joe Suer and newest member Scotty Wood on bass) is taking pre-orders now for the album, Scalp or Be Scalped, at its website (ohio-knife.com). The vinyl release features cover art by noted graphic artist Art Chantry, who has previously designed covers for bands like Mudhoney, Soundgarden, The Sonics and even Cincinnati Garage Rock heroes The Mortals (he was also art director for Seattle’s legendary music publication, The Rocket).
Ohio Knife is promoting the new LP with its first cross-country tour. The Day and Night Tour kicks off Sept. 14 in Indianapolis, and from there the group is traveling throughout the month of September, with stops that include Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Portland, Ore. and Seattle.
Local fans will have two more chances to see Ohio Knife before the tour. Friday, the band is participating in the Mega Jam skateboarding/music/art happening at Northside Yacht Club (4227 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, northsideyachtclub.com). The event is part of professional skateboarders Mike Vallely and Kristian Svitak’s tour promoting the Street Plant board and accessories brand. Other professional and local riders will strut their stuff on a skate-able art installation by local artist Ali Calis of Able Projects. The skating portion of the event is all ages and runs 5-9 p.m. The music keeps going until midnight, with Ohio Knife being joined on the lineup by Knife the Symphony, Ampline, Alone at 3am’s Max Fender and The Harlequins.
Then, at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Ohio Knife hosts a launch party for its new album and impending tour at Northside Tavern (4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside, northsidetav.com). Besides performances by OK and Mad Anthony, the event will also serve as a listening party for Scalp or Be Scalped. In October, after Ohio Knife’s travels, there will reportedly be a hometown release party for the album.
• Local Boogie Woogie Blues pianist extraordinaire Ricky Nye is no stranger to the road, with his frequent performances every year in Europe, where the Boogie Woogie style has a big following. Nye is currently overseas performing several dates throughout September in the Netherlands, France and Spain. Nye returns to the States in October and will resume his busy local performance schedule, which includes his 17th-annual Blues & Boogie Woogie Piano Summit, a unique showcase of players from around the world. The popular event takes place Nov. 4 and 5 at Newport’s Southgate House Revival (visit rickynye.com for ticket info).
Nye also recently released a new album, Gettin’ Loose!, which is available to purchase at the pianist’s shows; fans will also soon be able get it at cdbaby.com/artist/rickynye. The album features a couple of original tunes, as well as tributes to several influential artists, including local hero Big Joe Duskin and the late, great guitarist Lonnie Mack (who also spent a lot of time in Greater Cincinnati, notably as a session player at King Records).
• Also no stranger to overseas touring (in fact, they seem to tour there as much if not more than they do in North America), Cincinnati heavy rockers Electric Citizen return to Europe starting Sept. 30 for several dates with Orange Globin and Salem’s Pot (the band’s labelmates on the California-based RidingEasy Records). The road trek will take the band to England, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, France and Italy, among other stops.
Before Electric Citizen’s band members pack their bags, however, hometown fans will get one more chance to see them live. The group is playing a free show this Saturday at Northside Tavern at 10 p.m.
CONTACT MIKE BREEN: mbreen@citybeat.com
This article appears in Sep 7-14, 2016.